Our Maternity Unit has been shortlisted for the Maternity Services of the Year award, the Royal College of Midwives has announced.

Head of midwifery Chris Colbourne said: "The maternity team works 24/7 to make sure mothers and babies and their families get safe, high quality and personal care and we are thrilled with this national recognition.

"We are one of three units across the country shortlisted so we will get at least a bronze medal, but we shall be striving for gold of course."

The RCM awards reward professional excellence, hard work and dedication of the UK’s midwives. The award winners will be announced in January next year, at a ceremony in London hosted by television’s Natasha Kaplinsky.

Each year, more than 3,800 babies are born at the hospital.Chris and her team now have to impress the judges even further. They have been invited to give a presentation to the panel next month to showcase examples of excellence in care, patient involvement and choice and team working.

The Ipswich Maternity Unit is one of just 12 units in the country taking part in the King's Fund Safer Births programme, which looks at how hospital’s can make sure they consistently deliver the safest possible care during pregnancy and labour.